"Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs and Energy"
By Obiora Embry
Mentioned in September 2010 Peaceways Newsletter

"Why have environmentalists and the government joined in an alliance with the electrical industry in promoting an undeniably dangerous product? Whose side are they on anyway?"
‐ Walt McGinnis, "The Dark Side Of CFLs," April 2009

Energy and Light

Energy is inherent in all animate and inanimate matter. It is transient and easily gets transformed from one form to another. For example, when a light gets turned on, electrical energy gets transformed into heat energy and then into light energy. The visible light that is emitted from the bulb is a type of electromagnetic radiation within the electromagnetic spectrum. It is the total frequency range of electromagnetic radiation or light that extends from 0 Hertz (Hz) to 1023 Hertz or infinity—depending on the source.

The different types of radiation are grouped by their frequency and include in decreasing frequency: cosmic‐ray photons, gamma rays, x‐rays, ultraviolet radiation (UV), visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves, and radio waves. Radiation with a high frequency emit high amounts of energy and have short wavelengths. On the other end of the spectrum, radiation with low frequency have long wavelengths and emit low amounts of energy.

The radiation is comprised of oscillating waves—repeated cyclic patterns of alternating (weak) electric and (strong) magnetic fields. The electric and magnetic fields pass through empty space. The electric field travels a couple of inches while the magnetic field travels several feet or more. In addition, the magnetic field can pass through almost all materials, including Lead with ease.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Inside of Mother Earth’s magnetosphere, there are micropulsations (ultra low frequency radiation) that have a constant frequency of 10 Hz. The radiation emitted from the Earth is harmonious, balanced, and ultra low, so it does not have a detrimental effect on humans because the micropulsations operate within our brain’s frequency range of 7‐12 Hz. Furthermore, the micropulsations from Mother Earth help to stimulate natural processes.

The electromagnetic radiation of Mother Earth changed in the late 1800s when Thomas Edison developed the first commercially viable incandescent light bulb. This resulted in the creation of artificial electromagnetic radiation (EMR)—a phenomenon that had not previously existed in the history of Mother Earth—through the development of the electric power supply system. This system sends artificial energy that we use to power our homes and businesses.

Dirty Electricity

In our daily lives, we are bombarded by artificial energy via the (high) technology that we have created. The electricity in our homes, schools, and office buildings mainly operate at 120 VAC (Volts‐Alternating Current), including light bulbs. Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs and other energy‐efficient electrical devices save energy by "chopping" the 120 VAC electricity while creating electrical "transients." The transients are micro‐surges of high frequency electromagnetic radiation that fluctuate between 50 kHz and 100 kHz. This excess energy or electrical "noise" is sent back to the building’s 60 Hz electrical system, which results in "dirty electricity," "electrical smog," or "dirty power."

"Dirty electricity" is a problem because the energy fluctuation creates up to 1700 times the energy of a typical electrical system. Furthermore, the electric and magnetic fields created operate within the range of radio waves: 10 kiloHertz (kHz) to 300,000 megaHertz (MHz). The radiation can be absorbed by our bodies while residing in a room 10 feet or less from a CFL in operation. The effects of the radio frequency (RF) radiation can also affect people elsewhere in the building because the RF radiation travels through a building via the electrical wires. Once the high frequency radiation penetrates our body, it can cause acute and severe health effects like headaches, sleep disorders, respiratory problems, anxiety, depression, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and electrohypersensitivity (EHS).

Symptoms of EHS include:

In 2004, research began at La Quinta Middle School in California to determine the cause of the multiple cancer cases of faculty and staff. The research determined that there was a "high correlation between the rooms with the highest dirty power and the cancer cases" ("La Quinta Middle School’s Cancer Site."). In addition, there was an excessive rate of melanoma and thyroid cancer reported by faculty and staff that worked for the school.

Ultraviolet Radiation

When the Mercury arc in a CFL releases ultraviolet (UV) light, the Phosphors convert it to visible light. The UV light is made of UVA and UVB radiation. UVB, a known carcinogen is more dangerous than UVA. In 1992, the American Journal of Epidemiology reported that fluorescent lights emit 10‐30 times more UVB radiation than the Sun. Even if the UVB radiation is now less, there have already been reports of people developing cataracts, getting rashes and cancer, aging prematurely, and having problems with their immune system because of the UVA and UVB radiation from CFLs. The threat from UVB radiation is even greater for individuals with sensitive skin, skin diseases, or if a person sits 1 foot (30 cm) or less from a CFL for more than 1 hour/day.